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Louis Jordan

Pete Grendysa, Bear Family, 1993

FOR TEN of the most crucial years in the history of American black music, Louis Jordan was the main man, the solid sender, the hep-est of the hepcats. His recordings ruled the airwaves and the juke boxes alike, and his personal appearances were a synonym for pandemonium. Jordan jump-started the rhythm & blues movement, brought small combo hot jive to the heights of popularity and thereby laid the groundwork for rock and roll.

Total word count of piece: 15023

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